Vietnam has formally requested that the United States delay enforcement of a sweeping 46% tariff on Vietnamese exports, just days before the measure is set to take effect on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
In a bid to avert major disruptions to its export-driven economy, Hanoi has asked for a pause of at least 45 days while both sides pursue negotiations, according to Vietnamese officials. The request was delivered during a meeting on Sunday between Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son and U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper in the Vietnamese capital.
The move comes after Vietnamese Communist Party chief To Lam was among the first world leaders to speak directly with President Donald Trump following his announcement last week of blanket “reciprocal tariffs” on over 180 countries. Vietnam’s rate—one of the highest—has alarmed policymakers and business leaders across the country.
In a letter dated April 5, reportedly from Lam to Trump and circulating online, the Vietnamese leader urged the U.S. to postpone tariff implementation to allow time for diplomatic resolution. The New York Times cited the letter, though its authenticity has not been independently verified.
Meanwhile, Deputy PM Ho Duc Phoc, appointed as special envoy to the U.S., is leading a delegation to Washington and Cuba from April 6–16. Vietnamese officials say Phoc will engage in high-level talks aimed at securing a temporary delay of one to three months. “The decision to impose reciprocal tariffs is inconsistent with the current state of bilateral trade relations,” Son told the U.S. ambassador, emphasizing that the move undermines the spirit of the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.
Vietnam has seen rapid economic growth in recent years, in part by capitalizing on shifting global supply chains amid U.S.-China trade tensions. The new tariffs now pose a serious risk to key sectors including electronics, textiles, and agriculture.
